[DaveK]

I think a little traffic control would go a long way. Some stop lines on the pavement for the 14th St bridge traffic and a direction for cyclists on the MVT to yield to through traffic. It needs to be treated like a proper intersection, which it is. If they widen it out it’ll lead to faster speeds and more chance of a crash.

[DaveK]

@Dirt 3578 wrote:

I was way too busy savoring my victory (and looking for other photographers to document how awesome I am) to notice anyone else.

Just kidding. Honestly I didn’t see you. Were you one of the folks at the far side of the traffic light at the beginning of the W&OD?

Indeed. I was trying to avoid the dog walkers ahead of me so it was one of those “wait, I recognize that guy… from the internet!” moments after I was down the trail. I think I was riding a green Cross Check that day.

[DaveK]

@Dirt 3536 wrote:

OneEighth was a no-show for the afternoon race. I took it in a solo break. The chick on the Trek Townie didn’t stand a chance.

Now I’m sure I passed by you in the other direction 10 seconds after you took this. Yellow Van Dessel frame, yellow bar tape?

[DaveK]

I went with three friends to the EU Embassy Open Houses on Saturday with the intent of using CaBi to connect the groups of embassies (all four of us are members). The dock at Van Ness had one broken bike that didn’t show up on Spotcycle and the Woodley Park station only had one bike. I did see a lot of people that looked like they had a similar plan, so it was just another case of too much demand. Should have just brought my own bike.

[DaveK]

@jrenaut 3445 wrote:

How is there not a Bikeshare station on The Mall? Is this the NPS being grouchy again?

NPS has an exclusive vending contracts for their properties which will not allow CaBi stations on NPS property. They have not accepted the reasoning that it’s bicycle transit and not bike rental.

[DaveK]

@Brendan von Buckingham 3400 wrote:

If you travel around the south side of Lincoln Memorial, use extra caution while crossing 23rd Street. The sign that says “yield to pedestrians” has been knocked down. Drivers might not yield.

After countless times passing through that intersection I think the decision on whether to yield is based more on wind direction and phase of the moon. Thanks for the heads up though.

[DaveK]

@Dirt 3356 wrote:

In general, I’ve found being playful, happy, silly and very vocal helps. Don’t get angry or upset because that doesn’t really help anything. Be cautious and expect people to freak out and behave weirdly. Take it all in stride. Tourists are part of the fun and texture that makes up DC.

Agreed. My commute involves crossing either 14th St bridge or (usually) Memorial bridge and with the weather like it has been, it’s just going to be crowded with tourists. Slow down and enjoy the ride since there really isn’t anything to do about it. I try to ride off crowded trails wherever possible to minimize the conflicts.

[DaveK]

@baiskeli 3279 wrote:

That’s why I say “bike passing on your left” to anyone who looks like they don’t know what “on your left” means.

Glad you’re okay, PE. About that helmet – was it damaged? Do you need to replace it too?

Good place to remind everyone that if your helmet takes a hit, no matter if it looks fine, it must be replaced. Every hit weakens the helmet and it may not be able to save your skull the next time.

[DaveK]

@Justin Antos 3278 wrote:

Ellie,
I also live on the Hill and make this trek frequently by bike. I think your routes sound good, but it depends on your level of comfort riding in mixed traffic, especially at rush hour. I would find the Mass. Ave. route a little daunting because the parking lane is a travel lane in rush hour, especially west of Union Station. It’s a matter of personal taste, for sure!

The route I would choose is actually a bike lane or a dedicated cycletrack most of the way. I’d go over the Capitol, then along the Pennsylvania Ave. NW cycletracks, up the 15th St. cycletrack, and then left on Q St NW.

This way is perhaps less direct than the routes you describe, but it’s pretty safe and minimizes your battling with cars . This is my preferred route from the Hill to most areas in NW.

Here’s a map! http://tinyurl.com/68y3r4p

You can actually do a little jigger through the White House grounds too that I couldn’t get Google to show properly – when the cycletrack on 15th ends at G, take a left onto the pedestrianized area north of the white house, then a quick right, and pass through the bollards at the gatehouse at H St. and Vermont, and pick up the 15th St. cycletrack again on Vermont.

This is how I come home from Dupont to the Hill when I’m riding CaBi. On my road bike I can keep up with traffic so I usually just ride straight down Mass Ave, but the route mapped out here is much easier and less stressful if you’re not comfortable mixing it up with cars. Great advice.

[DaveK]

If someone ran a red light and t-boned my car, totaling it, I don’t think I’d say “well, it was just an accident” and go off to start saving for a new car. No one should ever be “head down riding fast in the drops” on a multi-use trail – he bears more responsibility here than you’re assigning. If it were me I’d be cashing a check for that new bike right about now.

I’m glad you’re okay though, the description is truly frightening.

[DaveK]

Before you buy a new fork and brakes, try changing your brake pads and adjusting your brakes. I’m a big fan of the Kool Stop salmon-colored pads, they are intended for use in wet conditions put stop quickly and quietly on my bikes. Adjusting canti brakes is accomplished mainly by voodoo (I still can’t banish all the shuddering from mine) but a little work to set the correct toe-in, pad location, and angle can go a long way. If you can’t do it, take it to a shop, and if that shop installed the new brakes on your bike they should have no problem making sure the pads are set up correctly.

It also helps to clean your brake tracks regularly or else you’ll just be trying to stop on a layer of built-up gunk.

[DaveK]

Assault does not have to involve physical striking. If there is a threat and a show of force that is enough to constitute assault in many jurisdictions (pulling back the slide on a gun while making threats, for example).

(I am not a lawyer but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night)

[DaveK]

Alabama Ave from Good Hope Rd to Suitland Rd is a good ride, pretty flat. Suitland Rd from Alabama to the MD line is great because it’s traffic calmed to keep the cars slowed down.

[DaveK]

@txgoonie 2976 wrote:

Can I ask a semi-thread-jack? Is walking against traffic something written into law or merely common sense? Lately I seem to be encountering an inordinate number of pedestrians on the road walking with traffic, and I’m wondering what the deal is. Is it possible that these people – runners, people with kids in strollers, i.e. people who seemingly should know better – just truly don’t know?

Perhaps I’m just searching for a logical explanation for people flouting the rules besides simply not caring.

This is rampant in my neighborhood and I’ve never been able to explain it. We have wide sidewalks and ramps at every corner and still the bike lane is full of SUV-sized double strollers. Drives me up the wall.

@brendan 2961 wrote:

I’ve actually been surprised at the number of joggers/walkers with headphones in who actually gesture the “pass signal received” gesture. A minority of them, to be sure, but I guess some folks don’t leave it on 11 like I do…

Brendan

I’ll third this observation. A wave back and forth after an acknowledged signal makes navigating the MUPs a whole lot easier. They know I’m there, I know they know I’m there, etc…

I also will regularly yell at cyclists passing between two trail users. It’s an MUP not the spring classics. Just chill and wait for an opening.

[DaveK]

@donkeybike 2923 wrote:

I don’t use a bell because I prefer to call out, which I always do unless it is clear the situation does not warrant it. I am rarely going that fast and don’t mind slowing down or even stopping if need be. It is alarming to be passed by a speeding bicycle with no warning whatsoever, not to mention how dangerous it is. I stop at red lights also, and I have had cyclists breeze past me and go through the light, with no warning! The passing situation mentioned is even more worrisome–you can always speed back up, so why risk it?

Cyclists have to realize that they have a bad rap–that I don’t think is deserved, but we must be ambassadors until society catches up. The disdain that drivers have toward us is really scary.

I just call out as well, I’m usually riding in the hoods and don’t have a place to mount a bell that I could get to quickly. Unfortunately this doesn’t always help when I have to cross into VA or back to DC because of the high volume of non-English-speaking tourists. I always use the bell on CaBi when I’m riding them.

[Author]

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